Role of GATA3, CK7, CK20 and CK14 in distinguishing urinary bladder squamous cell carcinoma and urothelial carcinoma with squamous differentiation

Urothelial carcinomas (UC) can demonstrate a broad spectrum of morphology and frequently demonstrate squamous differentiation. Urothelial neoplasms with squamous morphology raise the differential diagnosis between pure primary squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and UC with squamous differentiation. Accurate identification between these entities is critical due to differing prognosis and therapeutic strategies. GATA3-binding protein 3 (GATA3) is a novel immunohistochemical marker for UC; however, few studies have investigated the role of GATA3 as a marker for urinary bladder SCC. The purpose of this study was to investigate the expression of a selected panel of antibodies (GATA3, CK14, CK7 and CK20) in SCC, and to investigate its utility to aid in the diagnosis of urinary bladder SCC and its differentiation from UC with squamous differentiation. We evaluated immunohistochemically the selected panel of GATA3 (a urothelial-associated antibody) and CK14 (squamous-associated antibody), CK7 and CK20 in 75 primary urinary bladder neoplasms: 10 pure UC (conventional), 55 pure SCCs and 10 UC with squamous differentiation. Squamous differentiation was defined by intercellular bridges or evidence of keratinization. Pure SCCs were strongly positive for CK14 (100%), showing a significant difference from the conventional UC (P=0.001), and were constantly negative for CK20 (100%), with a significant difference from UC with squamous differentiation and conventional UC (P=0.001). An overall 5% of ...
Source: Egyptian Journal of Pathology - Category: Pathology Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research